HAIL MOTHER MARY

All hail MOTHER MARY. A film that proclaims not to be a ghost story, but actually is one of the better ones yet. Ghosts come in all shapes and incantations. This ghost will take on whatever form the viewer interprets it as. Regrets, lost love, a smoldering faith that once burned bright. Writer/Director David Lowery doesn’t preach any certain answer. Instead allows the subtle story to remain openly fluid.

Synopsis: Long-buried wounds rise to the surface when iconic pop star Mother Mary reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam Anselm, on the eve of her comeback performance. | 1h 52m | Rated R for some violent content and language.

Other than a few cutaways to extravagant concert performances, MOTHER MARY could be performed on stage. Its two actors delivering the poetic narrative that drives most of the film. Yes, this puppy is wordy. This lack of action and prose heavy script may lose some viewers. Once you realize what movie you are getting it is easier to forgive and embrace. As the two main – and really only – characters hash out past hurts, current demons, and future hopes your mind may wonder. But play close attention and you will realize the rich and poignant tale they are telling.

Anne Hathaway is Mother Mary. Think Madonna meets Lady Gaga meets the greatest pop super star to ever exist. When we meet her though she is at what seems the end of her career. She is haunted by something and looks like one running from themselves. She has come to seek out her old friend and costume designer, Sam Anselm. They have not spoken in many years but Mary feels as if only Sam has what it takes to calm her spirit.

Sam is played brilliantly by Michaela Coel. As mentioned this film has so much dialogue, much of it belonging to Sam. Michaela delivers it all as if she has been carrying it around in her soul her whole life. It is authentic, organic, and powerful. There is a rhythm to it that you could dance to. Sam knos her own truth and is not willing to allow Mary to skate over any wrong doings. She cares for her friend but knows that to heal means getting rid of the demons first. Metaphorically of course… sort of.

As a viewer I kept going back and forth as to who these characters represented. There are so many options to choose from. Is it as superficial as we see on the surface. Are they one in the same? Is Mary more a physical manifestation of something Sam has lost and is trying find? Again, you can get frustrated with the ambiguity of it all, or embrace it and allow your mind to create beauty from it all. I suggest the latter.

Anne Hathaway showed us in the past that she can sing with emotion and conviction, winning an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Les Mis. She also has the poise, stature and confidence to sell the story. Here we can add performative dance. There is a sequence where Mary performs a dance for Sam, sans music. It is raw, expressive, and at times like one possessed. I was convinced that someone had to have “stunt danced” that scene with Anne’s face super imposed. It would take a lifetime of practice to reach that level of control. Nope, a few seconds of research and I discovered that Hathaway underwent intense training with choreographer Dani Vitale to prepare for the role, despite not considering herself a dancer, Hathaway performed the grueling, high-energy dance scenes herself.

MOTHER MARY is a beautifully shot not-a-ghost story. Full of rich metaphors and emotional dialogue, it is a film that will give you quiet pause as you reflect on it as a whole.